Army to Cut Combat Brigades

The U.S. Army is planning to cut its number of combat brigades from 45 to as low as 32, part of broad measures to reduce military costs and cut overall forces by 80,000 soldiers. The Army said it would bolster the remaining brigades—usually about 3,500 soldiers—by adding an extra battalion (around 600 to 800 soldiers). Reducing the overall number of brigades also eliminates the bases where they are located and the officials needed to oversee them. Specialty units like Army special-operations forces will not be affected by the belt-tightening.